Defiance: Sing

I do not sing for joy.
When my voice lifts to pierce the air
it is not for love of beauty, hope, happiness.
No:
I cast my song before me as a shield
a rebuke
a triumph that screams:
Here is my voice, to silence what steals my thoughts.
Here are words that do not turn inward to feed.
Though you try to drown me,
Here is air.  I breathe.
I sing.